Plus: How Often State “Where’s My Refund?” Tools Update
For the 2025 tax year (filed in 2026), most taxpayers will face not one, but two deadlines:
- A federal tax deadline, and
- A state tax deadline, if they live in a state with income tax.
Out of the 41 states plus Washington, D.C. that impose individual income tax, 36 states + D.C. require you to pay any state balance due by April 15, 2026.
The only exceptions, where state payment due dates come later, are:
- Delaware – April 30, 2026
- Hawaii – April 20, 2026
- Iowa – April 30, 2026
- Louisiana – May 15, 2026
- New Mexico – April 30, 2026
- Virginia – May 1, 2026
For everyone else, April 15, 2026 is the critical payment deadline, even if your state automatically extends the filing deadline (often to October 15, 2026).
On top of that, each state offers its own version of a “Where’s My Refund?” tool, with different update schedules and processing times. Below is a state-by-state guide to:
- Who must pay by April 15, 2026, and
- How often your state refund status updates.
Payment vs. Filing: Why April 15, 2026 Still Matters
Many states follow the same pattern as the IRS:
- You may get an automatic 6-month extension to file (often to October 15, 2026).
- But you do not get extra time to pay what you owe.
If you pay your state tax after April 15, 2026, you risk:
- Late-payment penalties
- Interest charges from April 16 onward
- Additional collection notices if you ignore the balance
So even if you plan to file your state return in June or October under an extension, it is smart to estimate and pay as much as you reasonably can by April 15.
General Best Practices for State Refund Status Tools
Across states, refund-tracking systems behave consistently:
- Update Frequency:
Most tools update once daily (overnight). A few have special schedules (e.g., twice a week), but non-stop live updates are rare. - When to Start Checking:
- E-file: wait 24–72 hours after your state return is accepted.
- Paper: expect 2–4 weeks before your return even appears in the system.
- Best Time to Check:
- Weekdays, in the morning (after 6–8 a.m. local time), when overnight batches have completed.
- Avoid weekends and holidays; most systems do not update then.
- Processing Times:
- E-file with direct deposit: ~1–6 weeks, depending on the state.
- Paper returns or paper checks: 6–12+ weeks, or longer if there are issues.
If your refund has not moved after the upper end of the normal window (say, 6–10 weeks), it is time to contact your state revenue department directly.
States With Payments Due by April 15, 2026
And How Their Refund Tools Work
Below is a summary of the 36 states + D.C. where payments for 2025 returns are due April 15, 2026, along with their refund tool name, update frequency, and typical e-file processing times.
Use this as a quick guide for when and how often to check your state refund status.
Alabama – Wisconsin (Alphabetical)
Alabama
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: My Alabama Taxes
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings after 8 a.m. CT
- Typical e-file processing: 8–10 weeks
Arizona
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Check Refund Status
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: Up to 8 weeks
Arkansas
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point
- Update frequency: Daily (real-time once processing starts)
- When to check: Weekdays, anytime after 72 hours
- Typical e-file processing: 4–6 weeks
California
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Where’s My Refund?
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings after 7 a.m. PT
- Typical e-file processing: Up to 3 weeks
Colorado
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Revenue Online
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 7–10 days
Connecticut
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Taxpayer Service Center
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: A few days
District of Columbia (D.C.)
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: MyTax.DC.gov Refund Status
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings after 8 a.m. ET
- Typical e-file processing: 3–4 weeks
Georgia
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Georgia Tax Center (Check My Refund)
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight; allow 2–3 weeks before first check)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings after 8 a.m. ET
- Typical e-file processing: Up to 90 days
Idaho
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Refund Info
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 7–8 weeks
Illinois
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Where’s My Refund?
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings after 8 a.m. CT
- Typical e-file processing: ~4 weeks
Indiana
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Refund Status Service
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: Up to 3 weeks
Kansas
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Income and Homestead Refund Status
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 10–14 business days
Kentucky
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Where’s My Refund?
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 4–6 weeks
Maine
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Refund Status Information
- Update frequency: Twice weekly (Tuesday and Friday nights; visible next day)
- When to check: Tuesday and Friday mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 2–4 weeks
Maryland
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Refund Status
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight; some same-day entries for e-file)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: Same day to a few days, once accepted
Massachusetts
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: MassTaxConnect
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 4–6 weeks
Michigan
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Where’s My Refund?
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings after 8 a.m. ET
- Typical e-file processing: ~4 weeks
Minnesota
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Where’s My Refund? System
- Update frequency: Overnight, Monday–Friday
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings after 8 a.m. CT
- Typical e-file processing: 2–3 weeks
Mississippi
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Where’s My Refund?
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: Within 10 weeks
Missouri
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Return Tracker
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 3–4 weeks
Montana
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: TransAction Portal
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: Within 2 weeks
Nebraska
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Refund Information
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: Up to 30 days
New Jersey
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Online Refund Status Service
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight; 24/7 access)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: At least 4 weeks
New York
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Check Your Refund Status
- Update frequency: As processing stages change (typically daily overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings after 8 a.m. ET
- Typical e-file processing: 2–3 weeks
North Carolina
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Where’s My Refund?
- Update frequency: Daily; appears near real-time once posted
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings after 8 a.m. ET
- Typical e-file processing: 3–6 weeks
North Dakota
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Income Tax Refund Status
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 4–6 weeks
Ohio
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Refund Status
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: Around 15 days
Oklahoma
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Oklahoma Taxpayer Access Point
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 5–6 weeks
Oregon
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Where’s My Refund?
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: Up to 2 weeks
Pennsylvania
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Where’s My PA Refund?
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 8–10 weeks
Rhode Island
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Tax Refund Status
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 4–6 weeks
South Carolina
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Refund Status
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: Up to 8 weeks
Utah
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Taxpayer Access Point
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: Allow up to 120 days
Vermont
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Refund Status
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 6–8 weeks
West Virginia
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Where’s My Refund?
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: 4–6 weeks
Wisconsin
- Payment deadline: April 15, 2026
- Refund tool: Refund 123
- Update frequency: Daily (overnight)
- When to check: Weekdays, mornings
- Typical e-file processing: Within 3 weeks
What If Your State Refund Is Delayed?
Even with e-file and direct deposit, your state refund can be delayed by:
- Identity verification or fraud checks
- Math errors or mismatched wage data
- Missing forms or schedules
- Amended returns or audits
In those cases, your online status may stay “stuck” until the issue is resolved. If:
- Your e-file refund has been in review longer than the normal window, or
- Your status message indicates documentation is needed,
go directly to your state revenue department’s contact page and follow the instructions (phone, secure message, or mail).
Bottom Line: Pay by April 15 and Check Wisely
For most people in income-tax states, April 15, 2026 is a triple deadline:
- Federal filing due (unless extended)
- Federal payment due
- State payment due (even if your state return filing is extended)
Use e-file, pay electronically where possible, and check your refund status once a day at most, after overnight updates.
If you are not seeing movement after the expected timeframe, that is your cue to stop refreshing and start contacting your state directly.
